The Los Angeles Lakers' interest in their former No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell is a feasible one, as first noted by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, though at this point it is merely exploratory.
The Lakers are first looking at how to create another max spot, aggressively looking to create a superteam by adding a max-level point guard to the mix, at which point considering Russell becomes due diligence as one of the best available at the position, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe:
There is at least a kernel of truth to the Lakers' interest in a reunion, sources say, but L.A. has a lot to sort out. Russell fits the Knicks' timeline in case they strike out on bigger fish, but all indications are that New York will pursue short-term deals in that scenario, sources say. The Minnesota Timberwolves' pathway to a Russell deal is murky. Other unexpected sign-and-trade candidates will poke around.
Russell will be in the mix for more than just the Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks, but he is considered to be one tier below the elite-level “point gods” who are available in Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. Should the Lakers strike out on Irving and Walker, Russell could be their next best hope at forming a Big Three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Other teams like the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves have poked around to get him, using two of his draftmates and close friends in Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns as bait, respectively.
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